Venice, the Italian city of water ways and festivals, masquerades and balls. The city of romance and life but beneath the joviality and parties lay darker things. Vampires roam the night and lycanthropes howl at the moon. Do you dare take residence?

Ditching big brother. (Open)

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

As much as he loved his bodyguards for all they did sometimes he had to admit they were like a living breathing shadow when it came to him and his personal space. A shadow that sometimes made smart assed comment or told him his butt looked hot in those jeans. He'd done his fair share of smacking in the four years since he'd been in charge of the Venice Pard but nothing seemed to be making them change their ways. Made sense with a common saying around the house was that a leopard can't change it's spots. He was just glad none of them were psychos or serious trouble makers. Then he was truly put his foot down and show how it was he manged to keep the Raj spot after all this time.

Even he needed a night out to himself though. He gave the slip to both Dominic and Adam and headed out into the city figuring he might as well check out some of the clubs in town. He had heard the Pack now owned one and was curious to see how it was going. He did feel slightly bad about leaving Adam like he had. After promising Dom he could have a night off to enjoy with Ruby he had conned Adam into letting him go off on his own. Something that Dom would never have let him do. Adam wasn't as bright as Dominic when it came to how sneaky Jon could be.

That was how he came to be slipping into the Lunar wearing a light green dress shirt and a pair of black slacks. As much as he worked he didn't get out much so he didn't excatly have what someone would consider clubbing clothes. After glancing around quickly he made his way to the bar and ordered a shot of Jack Daniels. As he waited for it he glanced to the dance floor noticing that it was already filled with people even though it was still fairly early in the night.

Rebecca was on her last pit stop for the night. She had stopped in at all the other business and had her first monthly meeting with the managers. Now she regretted it as her head felt like it would explode from the other load. She was going to have too really wing business management or get into school for it. The last didn't sound so bad as it might give her a way to get away. For now she slipped into her club, and let the mass of bodies envelope her.

She might be Ulfric but the feel of bodies, any bodies, would always be a comfort to her. Every time she brushed against a back, her wolf would welcome the greeting theirs gave, and envelope them a moment of her strength and care for them. The damage that the old Ulfric had caused was slowly being repaired, and she had sent out invitations to the near by packs that she could use some Alpha blood. Things were going well under way for the pack.

She finally managed to dance her way through the crowd, now and then stopping as she got into the music a little more while her temp. body guard roamed the edge of the crowd. He wasn't the strongest, but one of the alpha's she wanted as her guard seemed off a lot lately and she wasn't going to give the position until she knew she was steady again. Slipping up to the counter, slightly out of breath, she ordered a shot of straight vodka, and then turned around to face the crowd.

That was when she felt feline near by and glanced to her left first, and then to her right. She had reigned in on her aura a bit as she had reached the edge of the pool of bodies, but then it had been a few days since she had announced her coming out at the club so she hadn't felt the need to truly hide who she was. After getting her shot, she downed it, and then made her way over to the feline.

"How's it going?" she asked as she took herself a seat and leaned back. Her greeting was casual, nothing to hint that she was trying to make a move. Since her meet with the Chang she had re-evaluted on who she should be openly seen flirt with and decided she should start looking for her own mate, "what do you think of the club so far?" She asked after a moment as well.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

Two shots in and he noticed that the feel of wolf seemed to be getting stronger. Not that surprising since the Pack did own this club after all. He idly wondered if any of the old wolves were around. Not that he liked them all but there were a couple of the pups that actually made it on his cool list as far as people went. To bad the old Ulfric wasn't one of them.He swung his empty shot glass around in his hand and causally leaned against the bar as he felt the feel of wolf get even closer.

He glanced to the side as a voice sounded off close to him. He offered one of his charming smiles back easing his inner kitty back into it's hiding place. No reason to get all flashy and let everyone know he was Raj after. He offered a nod to the girl flicking his eyes back to the bartender as he handed back his empty glass. "Going pretty good for me so far. What about you?"

Another shot was slide his way and he gave a nod of his head as thanks before turning his attention back to the female wolf.He tilted his head to the side and honestly thought about her question. She'd have a good reason for wanting to know if she was part of the pack. Hazel eyes glanced around as he took in everything. "First time here but I gotta admit it's pretty cool." He picked up the shot and gave her a little of the glass in a slight toast before knocking the drink back. "I'll have to come back." He tilted his head to the side and offered his hand with another smile. "I'm Jon."

"The day has been too long, and I'm glad it's wrapping up," he said with a smile of her own as she looked out to the dance floor once again, "granted I have a month to prepare for the next crazy day." She said chuckling as she just gave a simple look to the bar tender before her drink was brought to her. Her brown eyes took in the sight of the occupants, feeling pride rise up a little. The old Ulfric had never gotten so many in here before, and definitely not as diverse as it was now.

She couldn't help but smile on the compliment of the club. If someone outside the pack thought it good with out knowing exactly who she was, then perhaps her improvements really were working. That was good as not all of her improvements was aimed at just her businesses. She took up her shot glass as he offered his up, and did a light raise of it as well to join in with the silent toast. Knocking it back she watched as he offered his hand to her, and upon hearing his name a smile grew more on her lips. She took his hand, and moved closer so that he could still hear her when she spoke a bit more quietly, but no one else would.

"The Raj has graced his presence at the club?" She said. she knew of Jon. He was around when she had been about three-quarters of the way to Freki in pack ranks herself. He was a good leader, and someone she had used as a role model when it came to how to lead with respect instead of fear, "I'm Rebecca. Pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot of good things about you." She said as she gave him a firm and confident hand shake, "one of the few leaders to remain in tact of their position as a result of the war, quite an achievement." She said in compliment to him.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He shouldn't have been surprised that she knew who he was after he said his name. After all he was on of the few people that manged to hold his group together during the war and the start of the rebuilding after wards. Not that no one didn't try his hold or power. He had just come on top everything. Having a good set of Alpha's that were loyal to him made it easier he had to admit. He offered a smile taking in the name.

He knew it. Made it a point to know the names of the ranked shifters in town. From what he remembered Rebecca had been a Freki. She seemed to grow in rank pretty fast before the hell that was the war had broken out. "You guys are doing on hell of a bang up job with the place." He took his hand back rewrapping it around the glass even as eyes scanned the place. "I don't remember it being this busy before." He meant that in more than one way. Before the war, before a level headed wolf ran the pack.

He tilted his head to the side looking the new Ulfric up and down. "So how are things in puppy town? I heard there was a change in management." His way of letting Rebecca know he knew she was in charge of the wolf show now. It was interesting to see how the mostly male ran group would take to a female leader.

"The war is done with...a bastard is gone, and healing can take place. With that activity flourishes as spirits rise," she said in answer to his statement, and then grinned a bit cocky like for the next half, "plus...most guys don't have a sense of taste strong enough to handle a club." She said with a smile on her lips to show she was just razzing. She then ordered an actual drink instead of a shot, wanting to work on something instead of just chucking it down.

"Honestly...employers are giving me shit in some of the business that were owned by those were taken down after I brought Michael to the end of his ruling," she said, "I keep getting challenges for my right, and I've lost more Alpha's then I've wanted to because of it. Most of the rogues have joined the pack now, the others are dead. Clean up has been a bitch."

Her drink arrived, and then indicated for the tender to come down. She gave a brief whispered instructions into their ear before they walked off. She had instilled as soon as she took over that the leaders beverages were free when at the club. However with how the Raj was action it seemed he didn't want to be known quiet yet who he was, and had to give the order to the tender that it was the Raj, but to remain silent.

"How is the Pard going? I've heard rumors of...a love interest after the last few years of nothing serious," she said with an amused grin on her face to show she kept up with the others too and that she had heard about his mate.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

"Cheers to that shit." He raised his glass up once more before taking a healthy swallow of the liquid inside. "Never did like that guy. Keep trying to get me to give him pard members to play with..." The dark look on his face told her how he had felt about that request. He shook if off expression lightening up as he decided to think about something else. "That's true. . Even a gay guy couldn't run a club as well as chick could." He grinned back at her hand twisting the drink around a bit.

He was a little surprised when a drink appeared in front of him but the tender walked away before he could even offer to pay for it. Shrugging he just figured it would be because he was sitting with the owner of the club and nothing else. Hearing the comment about the mate thing had him flushing lightly. Apparently the good news was getting around. He didn't think anyone outside of the pard had heard but apparently someone was running off at the mouth.

" I wouldn't call it a ..love interest really. I have a mate now." He tugged the drink closer to himself taking a long swallow before looking back at Becca. "Kinda came out of nowhere honestly. Have to admit I'm pretty happy about the whole thing though." He swirled his glass around before looking up. "What about you? You settle down yet?"

Rebecca grimaced as he mentioned the attempt of getting his pard. She remembered that, and how she had vehemently argued with the Ulfric against it. He of course hadn't listened and continued to persist in it. "Well I assure you that will not be occurring," she promised him as she picked up her strawberry daquari. Taking a sip of the beverage she then looked over and saw his reaction to the words and smiled a bit.

"Oh it's a mate? Well that is a whole different thing," she said with a genuine smile, "congratulations." When he asked about herself she gave a shake of her head, "I've been too busy trying to patch things up and keeping my title I haven't had a chance to look at possible males. All I know is that I don't want a weak Alpha...or one that shows any signs of ruining what I want to accomplish. I may not even find a mate for all I know. Right now...I'm just going to wing it." She said to him

"How is the pard? I know you guys are the most stable compared to the rest of us, but how is it?" She didn't expect full details. After all she hadn't really given full details either.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He nodded to the wolf slamming the rest of his drink back and handing it to the bartender who looked a little impressed with the move. He could understand what she meant by being busying. Hell he had a feel fate or whatever had decided the only way Jon was going to get a mate was to show one right in his face and make him claim him. With running the pard and his own business it was a wonder he had any him time. His Alpha's were good for handling most of the day to day stuff he had to admit.

" Sides having a panwere in the group everything seemed to running smooth enough." He wasn't going to risk jinxing himself though so that was all he was willing to say about it.He twisted the empty glass surprised when a fresher drink appeared next to him. He offered the empty one and pulled the fuller one towards himself. "So. I know the club is up and running. Anyone else drop by?" He was hoping she knew he meant leader wise.

He'd seen Amber not long ago, he was the one that normally dropped Ruby off for her training and liked to exchange words with the Tiger if only to keep up on how the Chang though Ruby was doing. He hadn't met the new Rex yet and knew it was only a matter of time before the kiss wanted to meet with the local leaders. The though caused him to take a long pull of his drink before setting the glass down.

Rebecca thought it was interesting that there was a Panwere in the area. She'd have to meet them and get an opinion of what one is like. It was a rarity that they even existed. She took a sip of her beverage as she watched the crowd for a few moments.

"Chang Amber has stopped by. Though I must admit that encounter did not go as smoothly as I had hoped," a slight flush rose up that had nothing to do the drink that she was partking in. "She happened to come on the re-grand opening night, and we were both holding back out energy...lets just say I made a move on her before I came to learn who she was," she chuckled a little.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He took a slow sip of the drink not wanting to get hammered. While he was a drinker and had some weight as a shifter he wasn't totally above being able to get drunk himself. It just took alot.. alot more than it used too.He had to admit he was starting to get the munches now. Which meant he was closer to getting buzzed than he had thought he was. He blinked and looked up at Becca when she spoke. "Oh. Amber was here? Didn't think it was her kinda place." He glanced around before turning back to notice the look on Becca's face.

Hearing what happened had a grin slipping onto his face. He should have made plans to be here on the opening night. That would have been awesome too see. "I take you've never met her before huh?" He hide another smirk by taking a dip of his drink. "So what happened?" He looked over watching Becca as she stood there looking flushed about the whole thing. He didn't blame her really. Amber was hot, if he actually swung that way he'd have tried to get into the Chang's pants himself.

"Well lets just say it didn't get far...and some of her words made me realize I really shouldn't flirt outside of pack," she said blushing more, "that I should find a good male Alpha that will help in my power structure. She's definitely more composed then some of us." She winks at Jon to show she was including them both on that statement.

"However she really did help me realize the true threat Belle's line represent. The previous Ulfric seemed to not think we needed to know some things, and she pointed me in the right direction to get me started on learning more to protect my pack." She hated to admit that when it came to knowledge she was not as up to par on somethings, but it had been a good lesson to learn.

"Other than that the woman is pleasant company," she said smiling as she sipped her drink. This was only her third for the night and she merely felt relaxed.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He ordered a glass of water to balance out the rest of what he had been chugging down before turning his attention back to the wolf. He nodded at her words. Amber usually made a good deal of sense so anything the Chang said should be honestly considered without just tossing the idea to the side. "Now you just gotta find a good Alpha that's not bad on the eyes." He smirked leaning against the counter. "Your to hot to be with someone ugly." He tossed her a wink before sipping at his water.

Hearing the comment about the vampires caused him to pause himself. He knew enough to know who could call the pard but so far nothing bad had happened. He was thankful for that much too. Even if he was strong enough to block a call he'd rather not be put in a place where he would have too. "Have you found out anything?" He blinked at his water waving the tender down to order another drink before swinging his eyes back to Becca. Anything she knew might be helpful. "I'd be glad to pitch a hand in and help find out about the local kiss."

She smiled a bit, "Let me worry about finding my own man. You'll have your hands full now with your own mate." She said chuckling lightly on his comment of it. Though he did have a point. She hoped that who ever it was would be nice on the eyes as well as a good pillar to her power base in the pack. Even average would be nice.

She then thought a moment on what she had learned and sighed, "that Belle's line is so far the most frightening of them all. Some of the things they can do I couldn't possibly imagine possible." She said and thought a moment, "and I can see how people could be addicted to it." Definitely frightening in her opinion.

She then waved her hand and smiled a bit, "enough of that. This is a night of fun. Shouldn't be talking about such despairing things." She said smiling.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

At the mention of having his hands full with hos own mate Jon nodded and slammed back the rest of his drink. It still burned going down but it was the distraction he needed. He didn't want to sit here moping because he had manged to get himself married in a sense without meaning to. The scary part wasn't that he had done it , the scary part was how fast he was falling for the other cat. Mouthy brat that he could be and all. He shook his head trying to keep his mind from going down that path yet again and looked over at Becca.

He blinked at hearing about the vampires. He knew some, after all he couldn't afford to have his head buried in the sand when it came to protecting his people after all. He had heard of that line and had always wondered about himself but its not like he was going to go poking his nose around and find out if the rumors were true himself. He nodded pulling his head back up and glancing over at Becca. "True. So..How is Patty Pat doing? And Killian? I heard those two are shacking up together now." He had know the two awhile like he knew most of the long term wolves. Adam was buddies with the wolf so it made sense for him to keep an interested eye in the kid.

She quirks her eye-brows up a bit at the name for Patrick, "Patrick..." she said indicating he should be called as such until she was more familiar with him, "and Killian are doing well. Still getting familiar with each other, and their relationship seems to be blooming. Which is good. I'm hoping that once things get more settled, the pack will get into a better routine with their lives." She said as she then took a few drinks of her sweeter beverage. It was now down to the last third of the drink.

"I think once the stress is gone that those with potential of any kind will start showing. Which is good because it means a greater improvement with in the pack," she said smiling and looks to him, "I hear that Ruby and Dom are together. How are they doing?" she asked. Ruby would be well known for her unique condition, and anyone that knew Jon would know his bodyguard Dom.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He tossed back the rest of his drink. He was starting to get that nice burn in his stomach now so figured he shouldn't really drink anymore than he already had. He was walking home, no need to get lost half way there. If anything it would be something else to bitch about. Him slipping his guards would be the first part of that talk, followed by a "This is why you have a guard in the first place" sort of talk.

He nodded resting his weight against the bar once more. "They're good from what I can tell. I'm not one to dig to much into someone personal life. Well if I know they can one up me I try to keep my nose out." He offered a grin. He was nosy, he couldn't help it. It was part of the job after all. Find out stuff about other people. "Hear anything about the lions?" He hadn't seen the rex in forever not that he was in good with the guy but after all no news wasn't always good news.

She shook her head on his question about the lions. "Only that a new Rex is in town, and him and his second are slowly rebuilding the Pride again. They were hit the most I think when it came to all the fighting," she said as a touch of regret entered her voice. They had all lost numbers to some degree or other. Whether directly in their own shifter community or to the humans that were close to them. She only hoped that the new master of the city would not fall to the same notion as the last.

She then brought up an idea that she had heard about in the America's. "What is your opinion of shifters of all species working together?" she started up with a question, "I hear in the America's that different major cities shifter communities are working together when times are extremely rough...and it seems to work." She said casually and glanced over to Jon to see his reaction.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He actually kind of liked that idea and nodded as Becca suggested it. If anything they would spot any sign of trouble within the groups right away. Plus having some help from other groups wasn't a bad thing at all. "I like the idea but do you think the other groups would be behind it?" He knew for a fact that hyenas sometimes had to be handled with gloves as touchy as they were about certain things. Plus he hadn't heard anything about the rats. No news wasn't the same as good news when it came to those guys.

He wasn't for sure but he was under the impression alot of those guy were hired killers or the like. He shook his head his fingers tapping on the bar needing something to do. "We should get together with the others. Have a dinner or something. Casual of course." It was formal he'd end up having to rent something. He never had a reason to keep a really formal suit on himself. He nodded his hand reaching for a glass that wasn't there. Sighing he ordered a straight soda wondering at the sudden twitchyness he had seemed to acquire.

"I don't know if they will. Just the thought is giving me a headache already," Rebecca admitted, "but it's worth to try it. Especially if another out break happens..." she frowned some at the thought, "we were fighting each other as well as the vampires and that really cut deep. We all have the same distrust against them and that in itself might be a good way to start."

She thought about how they should meet, "it should be on neutral land as well. If some place is chosen on another territory they might think they are the leader and that could start a whole fight in it self. We don't need that." She signaled the tender for one last shot for the two of them, and when it was brought she picked her's up and inclined it to Jon.

"Here's to hopeful co-existant," she said with a chuckle before she took it nice and fast. She then pushed off the counter, and turned to him, "I'll choose a day, and send forth the invitations saying where to meet. The tab will be on me for the first meet I think. Those that do not come will be left out of the loop, but always welcomed to join later." She said giving her opinion of how it should go.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

"Makes sense to me but it's gonna be hard to find somewhere. I can see everyone having their own opinions of where to meet and everything already." He shook his head mid already going into over drive about the whole thing. It was something that could only benefit them though so the headache would be worth it in the long run. He didn't notice the shot till it was placed in front of him and even as he was shaking his head no the tender was walking off.

Figuring one last shot wouldn't kill him he picked it up and swirled it around slightly. He tapped his glass against her and took the shot feeling it burn less than the other hand before it. Another sign that he was well on his way to being more than tipsy. "Just gimme a call and we'll sort things out." he nodded the shook his head before setting the glass down on the bar. "One more for the road then I think I should really be off before one of my guards starts having kitten or something."

"I know, but there are few places that are big enough to hold us all," she said smiling, "and even fewer for ones in neutral ground." She was thinking of the large human owned resturant that was three stories tall and had a different theme on each floor that served different foods. It was the only place she could think of, and the food was fairly good.

"Perhaps you could work with the Chang on convincing her to attend as you do have some connections with her," she suggested looking over to him, "well better connections then myself. I could speak with the Pride and tackle that one myself." She offered in turn. She would send notice to the Hyena's and Rodere instead as she had no idea where they were located, but merely on how to get a hold of one of their kind. At least the message would be sent if they did not come, they could not argue.

She then looked back to Jon, and gave a slight smile. "Well...if anything...it will end up being a curious meeting indeed," she said chuckling before downing the rest of her drink. It would be interesting, a headache, and a big chunk out of finances...but if it was successful it would be worth it.

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He nodded already considering her words. It wouldn't be to much of a hassle to ask Amber the next time he dropped Ruby off to one of her training sessions with the tigers. He didn't see why she wouldn't want to set up some kind of meeting, she wasn't overly busy that he knew of but that didn't mean much coming from him really. "Split the groups?" He nodded thinking it made sense to do that rather than one person try to get a hold of everyone.

"I call the rats.. you can try to get a hold of the Hyenas... they might react better to you anyhow. Since your a chick and all." He shrugged knowing that didn't sound very good at all. He didn't have very good ties with the hyenas. Or any group like that running away shifters because of the fear that they might take over one day.

Rebecca chuckled a bit, "very well...Tigers and Rats for you, Lions and Hyena's for myself." She said taking it with out complaint. After all there really wasn't a reason for her to complain now was there? She then noticed one of her wolves slightly off to the side, and gave a nod to her once to show that she was needed. She gave a little movement of her hand before they walked off.

"I shall contact you once I've made the final arrangements for the meeting," she said as she slipped off her bar stool, "Until then something has been brought to my attention that I must attend to. If you speak with the guard at the door an escort will be provided for you to your own lands. It's the least I can do for playing Hostess to the Nimir-Raj." She said giving one of her pleasant smiles.

Giving a nod in farewell she then moved over to the guard that got her attention. They spoke into her ear as they disappeared down below. It seemed that a new wolf was in town...and they were strong...and male....

Character InformationRelationship Status:: MatedOther Characters:: Patrick/PiercePowers/Abilities:: Can Control shifts,has partially shift and has a hybrid form.Can block the call of a vampire to himself and the pard.

He nodded pushing the glass away from himself mind already buzzing with the plans he would have to start work on carrying out. He was lost in thought when someone walked up to Becca but when he did notice he glanced up frowning slightly. Hearing that she had to wander and deal with something he nodded though he waved off the offer of having someone walking him back to pard lands.

He slipped off his stool and zipped up his jacket offering a wave over his shoulder before slipping out of the door. The night air hit him sobering him up slightly and he carefully made his way towards home not even noticing that a couple of the wolves were following even though he said he didn't need an escort. Which was just as well. The rest of the night vanished in his memory as soon as his head hit the pillow at home.